 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Meri
Date: 2001-07-09 21:08
I just recently had an adjustable thumb rest placed on my instrument. (the type that you can only adjust it up or down) While playing scales and trills involving the right hand has been improved (probably because I am not losing the arch in my right hand, something that happend to me every so often) I have noticed that after a few minutes of playing there is some pain in my right hand, in the area between the index finger and thumb.
Is this just a matter of getting used to the new position (approximately opposite the index finger), or is it something more serious?
Meri
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Author: Hans
Date: 2001-07-09 22:35
Dear Meri, I also have an adjustable thum rest on my instrument and also feel some pain in my right hand after adjusting the rest. I think - although I am a novice - that this pain is normal but should go away after a few days playing. But letīs wait what more experienced players will say about it. Good luck, Hans
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Author: Sara
Date: 2001-07-09 22:43
I just got a new clarinet with the adjustable thumb rest and I am NOT have a problem.
When I started playing Bassoon I had pain like you are talking about and I also thought it was because I was not use to it. It turned out to be Carpal Tunnel. Do NOT let it go, tell your instructor or your doctor, you might have it in the wrong spot for the size of your hands.
PLEASE BE CAREFUL!!!!!
Good luck and I hope everything is alright.
Sara
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Author: clarinet713
Date: 2001-07-09 23:31
Seriously-be careful with this and get it checked out-I've been struggling with this wrist pain stuff since February and it is NOT FUN at all.
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Author: Hans
Date: 2001-07-09 23:46
Thanks for the warning! In my case it only causes pain when I change the position of the thumbrest. Indeed, when the pain does not go away, something is wrong.
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Author: Anji
Date: 2001-07-10 11:58
Pain is not a normal consequence (nor an acceptable one) of equipment changes.
It is also possible that over use may be the actual culprit.
Straps, the FHRED peg support and resting the bell on a board are real remedies.
I particularly like the Ton Kooiman gizmos, even the inexpensive version really spreads out the load without using a strap.
That and a Dixie cup to apply ice have made a difference in my Clarinet (tennis) elbow drama.
Do be careful,
anji
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Author: Azzacca
Date: 2001-07-10 12:40
I would definately check with a doctor, if not an orthopedic specialist if you are having wrist pain. If it's not Carpel Tunnel, it could still be tendonitis - which can be just as painful (or more so!). If it's tendonitis, then there are additional exercises that the doctor can give you to strengthen your wrist. I speak from experience, as I have had tendonitis since 1992 (from typing in a poorly set up desk for 8 hours/day). Since I've started exercising my wrist the pain is nearly gone. I just started up clarinet again, and my wrists get tired, from holding the clarinet, but it's not as bad as it might have been if I hadn't gotten it diagnosed so long ago.
Icing after (or during) practice is a good way to keep inflammation down, as are aspirin and ibuprophen (take them before practicing to prevent the inflammation) Of course, your doctor should have the final say in what you have and need to do
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Author: Sylvain
Date: 2001-07-10 15:07
Hi Meri,
I would not be so alarmed. There are many kind of pains some of which are not directly connected to the carpal tunnel syndrome.
If you're pain is muscular, it could simply be that you are working on some muscle you are not used to, and the pain shoudl go away with time as you buil those muscles, expecially the one just below your thumb.
If you experience strain in the forearm, especially in the wrist then you should worry, and think about a neck strap, a TK thumbrest or something that will relief some of the weight from your right thumb.
My advice is play for a bit if the pain persists or gets worse, go see a physician and/or look for gizmos to solve the problem, there are many threads on this here just search for wrist pain.
-Sylvain
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Author: Meri
Date: 2001-07-11 01:19
Thanks, everyone for your responses.
I also talked with my teacher about it, and he said that I should first experiment with different placements of the thumb and thumbrest, if and until I find one that gives me the freedom I had before but without the pain, to remember to stretch my hands every so often, and to check whether I am holding my instrument too close to my body. Trying that, I did find a position that allowed me to play for about 45 minutes without problems today. The real test will be in rehearsal tommorrow evening. He said it could also be a matter of not being used to the better position, having played with the conventional one for almost 11 years, but if the discomfort (which is only in the area between the index finger and thumb) doesn't improve in about a week, that he'll have a look at the problem further, before my next lesson.
At least he cares enough to take the thumb rest issue seriously; we both knew it was an issue with me, since it was pretty much impossible for me to maintain the correct position of the right hand with the usual thumb rest position. Although I wouldn't be surprised if it's because he too used to have problems with the right hand, judging by his contraption to solve the problems.
I did try the TK thumbrests, both models. I didn't like the way either of them felt, since neither of them seemed to provide enough support, and my other problem with the student model was the thumbplate, since I have rather small hands and the thumbplate is rather large.
Meri
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Author: David Kinder
Date: 2001-07-11 01:58
I use a neckstrap along with my adjustable thumb rest. This takes off some of the pressure of my hand, and allows the optimum placement of my thumb for fingering. There are lots of straps available. I purchased my BG strap from the Woodwind and brasswind for about $30. There are others less expensive.
Just a thought.
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